Hiding from God

Who is the master of your universe? A Rosh Hashanah meditation.

A common point of tension in any significant relationship is the struggle to balance closeness with autonomy. If you've ever felt like shouting at someone you love, "Give me some space!" you're in good company; Adam, the first man, essentially did that to the Almighty.

After eating from the fruit in the Garden of Eden, "… God called out to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'" Adam replied, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I am naked, so I hid." (Gen. 3:9,10)

Rabbi Shimshon Pincus, of blessed memory, interprets Adam's response as follows: "God, I heard you were looking for me, but I was afraid. After all, I'm just a simple man and I don't want to be with you all the time. It's just too much for me! I need some space, so I hid. I'll meet with you during the High Holidays, no problem, but other than that - let me live my life and leave me alone."

Yes there are plenty of times when we feel inspired to do God's bidding, learn His Torah, observe His commandments, but there are other times when we draw the line and recluse into our own private space where God is no longer the Master of the Universe - we are.

But there can only be one king. If we feel we have the power to dethrone God, even if it is only for a few moments a day, we believe, bottom line, that we are the reigning authority in our little kingdom.

The primary theme of Rosh Hashana is making God King. This is the central focus of Machzor prayers: "Reign over the entire world with your glory… and appear in the splendor of your majestic might over all who dwell on earth… and all who have breath in their nostrils will say, 'God, God of Israel, is King and His Kingship rules over all.'"

What does it mean "to make God King"?

Rabbi Pincus defines kingship as the dominant purpose that serves as the driving force behind something. For someone who is constantly plugged into an iPod, spends every available dollar on purchasing the latest cds and reads only Rolling Stone magazine, music is the king that rules his or her life. For others it may be sports or money.

Making God King means waking up every morning with the central, overarching goal in one's life to get close to God. All decisions and actions would strive to be in concert with this fundamental consideration: will this bring me closer or further away from God? In other words - no more hiding.

MAKING GOD KING - WHY?

The question is: Why would we want to make God King?

There are a number of approaches to this question, and everyone needs to find the one that best speaks to them. The following explanation resonates with me.

There is a scene in Kurt Vonnegut's novel, "Breakfast of Champions" that brings home the meaning of God as King. The main character, Kilgore Trout, is having a drink in a bar, minding his own business. Suddenly he senses an awesome presence about to enter the bar. He breaks out into a cold sweat.

Who walks in?

Kurt Vonnegut. When the author of the book steps into the novel to visit his character, Kilgore's perception of his world turns upside down. He realizes that he does not exist independently. Rather, every moment of his life requires a new stroke of the author's pen. Without the author, he ceases to exist.

He also realizes that his universe exists only in the mind of the author, and that beyond his ephemeral world there is a higher dimension -- the realm of Kurt Vonnegut - that is more real than his own.

He also discovers that literally everything in his universe is an expression of Kurt Vonnegut. Because in Kilgore's world, the author is the only being that has true existence.

If Kilgore could reach out of the pages of the book and touch his author, he would have a mind-blowing, transcendental experience. For that moment, Kilgore would peel back the layer of his fictional universe -- and reveal the root of all reality. He would move beyond the Matrix.

Making God King means choosing transcendence over transience, Infinite over finite, reality over illusion.

Our finite world is also a work of creation. Everything in it is an expression of God's oneness. Without a new act of creation every instant, nothing could exist. The only true, real existence is the Infinite, as Maimonides states, "'And God, your Lord, is true (Jeremiah, 10:10) - i.e., He alone is true and no other entity possesses truth that compares to His truth. This is what the Torah says, 'There is nothing else but Him' (Deut. 4:35), meaning, aside from Him, there is no true existence like His" (The Foundations of Torah, 1:4).

This is the meaning that God is King - He, alone, reigns supreme in the universe because He is the only reality there is. Thus God is One - meaning the one and only; there is nothing else but God.

Making God King means choosing transcendence over transience, Infinite over finite, reality over illusion.

GETTING PRACTICAL

With Rosh Hashana days away, how can we make this practical? By realizing we are not the king of our universe. We can never run away and hide from God. There is no corner where He cannot be found.

Rebbetzin Feige Twerski gives a very simple and effective tool that helps to increase our God-consciousness in our daily life. Ask yourself several times a day, while doing whatever you're doing, "Is God comfortable here?" Does He feel at home while He joins your family around the dinner table? Does He like spending time with you and your spouse? Is He happy being with you at work? Listening to your phone conversations? While you surf the Internet?

By frequently asking this question throughout the day, we can increase our awareness that God is right here with us, and come to realize that by coming out of our hiding places, we acquire our ultimate independence.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 27

(26)
yehudit channen,
September 27, 2011 7:46 PM

great imagery!

I loved the imagery I got from the analogy of Kurt V. entering his own novel and the character becoming unbearably aware of his creator! Just a beautiful and very useful illustration!
thank you!

(25)
don muntean,
January 17, 2011 12:17 PM

nice

Good article and I also liked Dvirah's comment...

(24)
Dvirah,
January 17, 2011 12:17 PM

Reversing the Question

Since we are G-d's creations, I cannot believe that he has any trouble accepting us for what we are and what we do - even hide from him. He will, I believe, always forgive and wait patiently for us to return. However, one could encourage one's "good" behavior by reversing the question: am I comfortable with G-d's presence while I am doing these things? Because if not, obviously I am doing something I feel is wrong. Asking this question constantly, analysing what feels wrong and changing is doing constant Teshuvah. And that too brings us closer to G-d.
(A caveat: don't be too quick to find fault with yourself! G-d is much less judgemental than we are and will "give good marks" for trying even if the result is not perfect.)

Adinah,
September 14, 2012 5:19 AM

The problem with reversing the question is it puts my mental/emotional framework as the end all rather than striving to align, realign, and once again realign my mental and emotional framework to G-d's. G-d always accepts us but not necessrily our actions. Acceptance means connections. And when there is connection there is the feedback of experiencing Presence. If I am angry, at that moment I am not "accepted" so to speak and the feedback is a lack of experiencing Presence. its a tricky thing because I can convince myself I am feeling something in order to justify the act. There is a structure to the Universe with its feedback system. Perhaps its a matter if I see mitzvah more as 'commandment' or as 'joining' (the root of the word being tzavta). Commandment is more distant where joining is incredibly personal. And when its sooo personal with G-d, the love is clearer and then I more easily put Hashem as the Master in asking is He comfortable in what I am doing?

(23)
richard,
September 30, 2008 9:07 AM

HEEEEE's back.

Thank you. God is back in my life.
HE never left, I just chose not to see HIM.
I've been worried about "my" ulcer, about "my" iminent financial ruin, about "my" life.
I've always appreciated life and God's earth but now I have a better understanding. Thank you.
Please tell us about God's sense of humor.

(22)
annie kleinschmidt,
September 1, 2007 9:16 AM

thanks for the online education of symbolism

many thanks and blessings for such knowledge to be accessible online. wheni think of Gd I think of the universal goodness which can be created thru our good actions. when is the eve of rosh Hashanah ???

(21)
Shells,
August 19, 2007 3:12 PM

WOW!

this is a powerful lesson, well written and 'easy' to understand. it links well with the daily lift series too I think. thank you Rabbi for explaining how we can grow alongside God

(20)
Shahid Zaidi,
March 29, 2007 7:39 AM

Let Almighty decide our fate.

If Jews, Christians, Muslims may be other religions aswell believe in one and only one Almighty then why we fight among each other and also against each other. I feel sorry.

(19)
Barry,
September 20, 2006 2:58 PM

I agree with your comment, not always easy.

I think the children of ancient Israel had similar difficulties, deciding who/what to worship. They kept slipping into worshipping the gods of the land. We do the same today in worshipping gods of the land; wealth, power, fame, beauty or physical gratifications. Not entirely bad in a general sense. It is good to be physically fit and healthy or financially secure but to be obsessed with it can be destructive and can become the altar we kneel at.

(18)
IraSomers,
September 19, 2006 5:24 PM

Wow, Rabbi. Good stuff on Hiding from G-d.

K'siva v'chasima tova.

-ira philadelphia

(17)
Gregory,
September 16, 2006 10:47 PM

There is no place to hide from All-Awareness

God, the Prime Source, Knower of all things, is not body nor spirit, but rather a Transcendant Mind Who is All-Aware.

That is how I imagine God: He is All-Awareness.

Therefore, it is so funny and totally ridiculous for us to suggest that we can somehow hide from Him Who knows and is constant All-aware of every atom in the cosmos, every molecule in the seas, evert hair on our bodies, cell inside our bodies, star in the sky and every synaptic thought that travels through the connections. of our neurons.

On that somber yet mind-boggling note, may you experience a joyous Rosh Hashana and have a repentant Yom Kippure as well. -- Shalom, Gregory.

(16)
r. sebag,
October 6, 2005 12:00 AM

very interesting. i liked the Kurt Vonnegut analogy.
Although we have free will and are therefore not puppets of an Author.
question is how does can a person be truly convinced He exists? What you can't see you can't really believe in.
Intellectual arguments cannot penetrate the heart so much.

(15)
helen (Chaiah) Schwab,
October 6, 2005 12:00 AM

Very powerful idea, the all or nothing of G-d's kingship.

That's a very powerful idea, the all or nothing of G-d's kingship. I admit to wishing G-d "wouldn't look" while I took an unnecessary extra piece of chocolate. And that's the same as deynying him kingship for those moments, isn't it?! Thank you for this insight.

(14)
george,
October 2, 2005 12:00 AM

very good

(13)
Miryam,
September 30, 2004 12:00 AM

wonderful article!

Rabbi Coopersmith, Thank you for this article its wonderful!!!!!!

(12)
chris,
September 22, 2004 12:00 AM

It is good not to hide from the presence of G d.However it would be better to know the benefits of submiting to His wisdom and encouragement

(11)
Marcelo Vasilcovsky,
September 18, 2004 12:00 AM

Very Good

That was a very good article

Shana Tova
Ktiva Ve'chatima tova!

(10)
Lindsay,
September 18, 2004 12:00 AM

Thank you for a fascinating article.

I never thought of independence in that way before. It's different and I believe it to be true. I will try to consider this during the week. Thank you for a fascinating article.

(9)
Ron,
September 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Thanks

Very good article, thanks!

(8)
Kayed Almas,
September 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Beautiful and inspiring article.

(7)
stella,
September 14, 2004 12:00 AM

Thank you, thank you..

Very helpful. It lifts up a weary soul. All the articles are wonderful.

so so helpful, now I understand what I should be aiming for, thank you.

(3)
orah,
September 13, 2004 12:00 AM

B'SD
NICE ARTICLE!
ITS LIKE THE SAYING
AZE RETZONCHA KERETZONO..
DO YOUR WILL LIKE HIS WILL,ANNUL YOUR WILL BEFORE HIS WILL;& HE WILL ANNUL THE WILL OF OTHERS UPON YOURS...
VERY SIMPLE...ISN'T IT...
KETIVA BECHATIMA TOVA TO ALL.

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In a letter to someone who found it difficult to study Torah, the 20th century sage the Chazon Ish wrote:

"Some people find it hard to be diligent in their Torah studies. But the difficulty persists only for a short while - if the person sincerely resolves to submerge himself in his studies. Very quickly the feelings of difficulty will go away and he will find that there is no worldly pleasure that can compare with the pleasure of studying Torah diligently."

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...